In a brash speech to the Scottish Parliament, Mr Salmond said it was his vision that the English and Scots could be treated as “equals” for the first time since the Union was created in 1707.

The Scottish National Party leader said his party’s landslide election win is also a mandate for him being handed control over six new areas of responsibility, including BBC Scotland and alcohol duty, as a prelude to full independence.

However, he made no mention of most portfolios over which he already has control in the devolution settlement, such as education, transport and the NHS.

Annabel Goldie, the Scottish Conservative leader, accused Mr Salmond of deliberately exaggerating his election mandate and argued the public only voted for him to lead Scotland’s devolved government using its existing powers.

Mr Salmond made the bold statement of intent after being formally re-elected First Minister, a formality as the SNP enjoys an unprecedented majority in the Holyrood chamber following its sweeping election victory a fortnight ago.

He has already used the result to demand the Coalition Government hand him control over corporation tax, Crown Estate revenue from Scotland’s seas and extra borrowing powers.

And he went even further in his speech, adding to the list power over alcohol and tobacco duties and broadcasting. He also argued that Scotland should have greater influence at international bodies such as the EU.

But Mr Salmond indicated he views these powers only as staging posts along the way to full Scottish independence. He has promised to stage a referendum on separation in the second half of his five-year term.

“We see our nation emerge from the glower of self-doubt and negativity – a change is coming and the people are ready,” the First Minister told MSPs.

“Whatever changes take place in our constitution, we will remain close to our neighbours. My dearest wish is to see the countries of Scotland and England stand together as equals.

“There is a difference between partnership and subordination – the first encourages mutual respect, the second breeds resentment.”

He quoted Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun, a commissioner of the old Scottish Parliament, who warned in 1706 that the Union would mean the “greater must always swallow the lesser.”

“His fears were realised in 1707 but the age of empires is over,” Mr Salmond concluded.

“So let us heed the words of Saltoun and go forward into the community of nations to lend our own independent weight to the world.”

Miss Goldie congratulated the First Minister on his “remarkable” election victory but said she must “haul him back to earth with a little bit of realism”.

“He may want separation – most people in Scotland do not. The only mandate he has from the election is to be a devolved government in the Scottish Parliament,” she said.

“So I don't want to rain on his SNP parade but voters expect his priorities to be jobs, education, our health service, law and order, local government and all the other essential services for which this Parliament is responsible.”

Iain Gray, Labour’s Holyrood leader, added: “In the past ten days we have heard plenty about the 57 varieties of independence. We have heard nothing about unemployment.”

Earlier in his speech, Mr Salmond confirmed he will use his new parliamentary majority to force through alcohol minimum pricing but agreed it was not right supermarkets, not taxpayers, will reap the extra profits.

Instead he argued that alcohol and tobacco excise should be transferred to Holyrood using the Scotland Bill, which is currently being considered by MPs and proposes devolving a limited range of financial powers.

Together the two taxes raise about £1.7 billion, but the SNP leader suggested they could be increased if they were devolved to tackle Scotland’s poor health record.

The First Minister also told MSPs Scotland is “poorly served” by broadcasting being reserved to Westminster and argued for the creation of a devolved Scottish digital channel.

Pressed on the SNP’s other plans for broadcasting, his spokesman referred to a ministerial paper published two years ago. This confirmed that Mr Salmond wants to scrap the BBC and replace it with a new Scottish broadcasting corporation.

David Cameron has already allowed Scottish ministers to lead the UK delegation on EU fisheries negotiations, but the First Minister argued Scotland “needs more influence” in Europe and particularly the Council of Ministers.